GridConnext: A Convergent Smart Grid Communications and Application Architecture

As the Smart Grid continues to evolve into an advanced, networked cyber-physical systems (CPS), this could enable utilities to leverage the rapid advances in technology – smaller, better, faster, cheaper. However, like other critical US infrastructure, changes are typically very slow to propagate because security, availability, reliability, and stability are overriding concerns. Often after hardware is deployed it may remain in service for decades without change, until it needs to be replaced. Over time, as new hardware and software are slowly introduced, these systems become significantly diverse, and interoperability challenges rise proportionally. To leverage and benefit from the advances in technology, a key challenge is providing the ability to isolate and insulate changes that are introduced by new technology from the rest of the system. Solution Overview: In order to address these challenges, we propose an evolvable, scalable, and extensible solution that abstracts away many of the underlying component technologies that would otherwise render such a solution very brittle within a few short years. The underlying, unifying innovation leverages our mature, open, and vetted communications middleware (already in use by Navy, Air Force, and Army programs, and industrial companies worldwide). This middleware can operate above any existing, and any new hardware and operating systems, thereby insulating applications from these changes. It handles interoperability issues related to communication across diverse systems, and it also anticipates (by design) the evolution of communications protocols and application data models, so older sensors and controllers are still able to easily communicate with the latest generation systems. In Phase I we will develop a proof of concept that focuses on risk reduction for potential Phase II funding. It will include an end-to-end prototype that leverages our GridConnext technology and the OpenFMB Smart Grid standard; we will demonstrate it within an existing energy partner Smart Grid testbed. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: With a commercially-supported implementation of the current OpenFMB framework, RTI’s GridConnext will provide the open, interoperable, secure, IIoTbased architecture to advance the development of the Smart Grid and foster an open market for applications and systems for the Smart Grid. Our goal is to continue a synergistic relationship between the OpenFMB program and RTI’s GridConnext implementation. RTI, in collaboration with its strong utility partners, will provide real-world examples of Smart Grid systems and applications for extending the OpenFMB open framework and standards. We will work with SGIP to incorporate lessons learned back into the evolving OpenFMB energy grid specification. RTI consistently maintains a top 1% DOD SBIR Commercialization Achievement Index (CAI) rating. The technology developed under this SBIR will be readily applicable in several other commercial as well as government programs. RTI is experienced in commercializing technology, with 100’s of successful customers. Keywords: DDS, OpenFMB, real-time middleware, smart grid, cybersecurity, SGIP